First Lady Jindal announces Governor's Mansion is going pink!

Monday

Oct 8, 2012 at 5:00 PM

For the fifth consecutive year, in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, First Lady Supriya Jindal announced that the Louisiana Governor's Mansion will be lit pink the nights of Monday, Oct. 8 thru Thursday, Oct. 11.

First Lady Supriya Jindal said, "Thousands of Louisianans have witnessed the effects of breast cancer, if not personally, than through a mother, sister, loved one or friend. It is critical that women stay informed of advanced technologies and take steps to detect breast cancer early. It is my hope that lighting the Mansion pink may serve a reminder that together we can take a stand against breast cancer."

"Louisiana's breast cancer incidence rate is better than the national average; alarmingly, though, our state has the second highest breast cancer death rate in the nation," said Bruce D. Greenstein, secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. "This means too many women aren't getting treatment until it's too late. When breast cancer is found early, usually during screening exams, there is a greater chance it can be diagnosed at an early stage and treated successfully. I challenge you to make today the day you take control of your future – schedule a mammogram. While you're at it, commit to taking steps that will reduce your risk of getting cancer while improving your overall health. Studies show controlling your weight, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol consumption can help lower your risk of cancer, as well as certain chronic diseases."

Nationwide, an estimated 226,870 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually. In Louisiana, 3,320 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and about 660 will die from breast cancer in 2012. Thankfully, with screenings and early detection, women have a 99 percent better chance of surviving passed the five-year mark.

According the American Cancer Society (ACS), women over 40 years old are encouraged to receive regular breast cancer screenings, including a mammogram, every year. The ACS recommends women in between the ages of 20 and 39 receive a clinical breast exam every three years.

The Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program provides quality, no-cost, breast and cervical cancer early detection services to un- or under-insured, low and moderate-income women aged 40 or over. Special emphasis is given to reaching women who rarely or never receive screening services. LBCHP's goal is to prevent unnecessary disease, disability or premature death due to cancer of the breast and cervix in Louisiana women. For more information, call toll-free 1-888-599-1073.

For additional information on breast cancer and the screenings available throughout Louisiana, please visit the American Cancer Society's website, LBCHP's website and/or Komen.org and their local affiliate's websites: